Venetian vs Palazzo Las Vegas: Which One Should You Book?
If you’re planning a Vegas trip and stuck on Venetian vs Palazzo, you’re asking the exact right question — because while these two towers are part of the same mega-resort, they can feel very different once you’re actually staying there.
We did a split stay at both The Venetian and The Palazzo to figure out which is better for real travelers: room quality, crowds, pools, food, and how easy it is to get to the Sphere. Here’s everything you need to know before you book.
Venetian vs Palazzo Las Vegas
Quick answer: Which should you book?
Book The Venetian if you want:
The best theming and the most “Vegas wow.”
A room that feels newer and more updated (this mattered a LOT to us)
More variety for food and drinks (from casual to splurge)
Book The Palazzo if you want:
A quieter-feeling tower vibe in common areas
A grand, upscale lobby and a slightly calmer tone
You’re okay with a room that may feel a little more “lived in” until it’s refreshed
Our verdict from staying at BOTH: Venetian wins right now because the room experience felt more updated and the dining variety pulled us back to the Venetian side repeatedly.
Are Venetian and Palazzo the same hotel?
They’re two towers within the same resort complex and are highly connected, which is why a split stay is easy. The big difference isn’t whether you can access the shops or restaurants (you can) — it’s how the tower feels day to day: room freshness, crowd flow, and overall vibe.
The Venetian “wow” factor is real
The Venetian leans hard into the Venice fantasy. From the moment you walk in, it feels like a theme park and a movie set. In our vlog, we called out the grand, ornate details and the “you’ve stepped into Italy” vibe — and it’s honestly why this property is such a Vegas classic.
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to feel like your hotel is an attraction, Venetian delivers.
Grand Canal Shoppes: the must-do centerpiece
This is the most iconic area of the resort for a reason. The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes are:
875,000 square feet
160 stores
a quarter-mile-long indoor canal with gondolas drifting through under painted “sky” ceilings
It’s located on level two of the resort.
In real life? It’s huge, it’s packed, it’s wildly engineered (a canal on the second level still breaks our brains), and it’s one of the best places on the Strip for B-roll, photos, and that “only in Vegas” energy.
Gondola rides: worth it or overpriced?
We finally did the gondola ride after visiting a bunch of times and never pulling the trigger. Official pricing is:
$39 per person for a shared ride
$156 for a private gondola
It’s a short experience (around 15 minutes), but it’s fun — the gondolier sings and plays up the romance. Two tips from our experience:
If you buy tickets online, you can usually go straight to the line (don’t waste time at the booth as we did).
Bring cash to tip — gratuity is optional, but it’s a very service-forward experience.
Rooms: the deciding factor for us
Venetian suite experience
Venetian felt more “fresh” after staying. Our room had that updated, renovated feel — newer finishes, better “this is worth what I paid” vibes.
Palazzo suite experience
Palazzo’s layout was very similar (a sunken living room, a suite feel), but the room itself felt more dated. We also had a noticeable odor issue (like cooking + deodorizer). Not a deal-breaker for everyone, but it’s one of those real-world details you want to know before booking.
If you care about the condition of the room and a modern feel, Venetian is the safer pick right now.
Crowds: the biggest downside (for both)
Here’s the real talk: Venetian/Palazzo can feel like a beautiful, luxurious… cluster.
Between conventions, shows, restaurant-goers, and the Sphere next door, there’s a constant stream of people moving in every direction. We genuinely love this resort, but if you’re crowd-sensitive, it can spike anxiety and make “luxury” feel less relaxing.
If crowds are a big issue for you, you may want a different resort entirely, or at least plan your exploring early morning and late night.
Food: You don’t have to eat $100 steaks on the whole trip
One of the biggest traveler myths is “Venetian = only expensive dining.” Not true. There are plenty of splurges, but there are also casual and mid-range options.
Via Via Food Hall: best casual move on property
Via Via is a legit food hall with multiple concepts, and it’s a great way to eat well without having to do a full sit-down meal every time. We ate breakfast at Turkey and the Wolf + Molly’s Rise and Shine, which the resort describes as a merged concept that brings together New Orleans favorites in one spot. Our take: fluffy biscuit breakfast sandwiches, great comfort food, and a strong “this is worth doing” if you want something tasty without the full fine-dining commitment.
Restaurant Row: when you want a Vegas dinner moment
If you do want the upscale experience, Restaurant Row is where you’ll find a lot of the high-end spots. In our stay, this is where the “wow” meals happened — and we still found ourselves drawn back to the Venetian side for variety.
Pools in winter: heated water is great, cold air is humbling
We tested the pools during chilly weather. The water being heated helps a lot… but the moment you get out, the air can still be cold. Hot tubs become the MVP.
Our big takeaway:
Venetian pool complex feels larger
Palazzo pool area is smaller but still nice
You can walk between them, so you’re not stuck with one experience
Resort fee: what you’re paying and what it includes
The resort fee is one of the most searched questions for Venetian/Palazzo, so here’s the official detail:
$55 + tax per night, paid at check-in
Includes:Access for two to the Canyon Ranch fitness facility
In-suite internet access (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
Boarding pass printing
Unlimited local/toll-free calls
PressReader provides access to thousands of publications while connected to resort Wi-Fi
Pro tip: when comparing rates, always compare total cost after resort fee + taxes, not the headline nightly rate.
Final verdict: Venetian vs Palazzo
If you want the cleanest, easiest answer:
Venetian is the better booking right now — mostly because the room experience feels more up to date, and the overall variety (especially dining) keeps pulling us back.
But there’s no bad choice if:
You love this resort’s vibe
You’re here for the Grand Canal/Shoppes experience
You want easy Sphere access
You’re okay with crowds
FAQ travelers ask
Are the Venetian and Palazzo connected?
Yes — they’re part of the same resort complex and easy to move between indoors.
How much are gondola rides at the Venetian?
$39 per person shared; $156 private.
How big are the Grand Canal Shoppes?
875,000 square feet with 160 stores, plus the quarter-mile indoor canal.
How much is the Venetian/Palazzo resort fee?
$55 + tax per night, with inclusions such as Wi-Fi and access to Canyon Ranch fitness.